Classical Stretch - which one do I buy?

K

kimyenchu

Cathlete
Hello,

I'm looking for another stretch workout that is more intense that Stretch Max. I've heard good things about Classical Stretch but I can't decide which one to buy. Can someone give me feed back on the following?

Full Body & Athlete Stretching
Full Body Workout Vol II
Eccentrics
Classical Stretch TV series

I was thinking of ordering Full Body Vol II, Full Body & Athletes, and Eccentrics because they offer free shipping if you buy 3. Or I would just order the TV series as that seem to have everything in it.

I like Cathe's Stretch Max and tend to add it on after a workout or do it on a day off. I am looking for a stretch that accomplish everything in 30mins and don't want to follow a program.

Yen
 
I'll just throw my two cents in here: I have the Classical Stretch TV Series and it just doesn't agree with my body like Cathe's StretchMax does. When the instructor says "that should feel great" it never feels great for me. I don't always understand what the moves are doing for me, if anything, and I get bored. Also, the positions often feel awkward for my body. As I keep finding again and again, with Cathe's workouts my body "gets" it, I don't get bored and the moves make sense to me. Just one person's opinion.
 
I have all of the workouts you mentioned except Full Body Vol II and I love them. I wish Miranda would put up clips because her workouts are hard to explain, but I wouldn't compare them to Stretch Max. CS combines fluid ballet, pilates, and tai chi moves -- there's a lot of movement in the workouts rather than static stretches. Some of them require a barre, but a table or the back of a chair will work just fine (I use a desk). They also include a lot of strengthening exercises.

I love the TV series because you get 26 workouts that are short and easy to tack on to another workout. I think each episode is about 24 or 25 minutes long and has a particular focus. There's also a book that goes with the series that you can download for free on her website.

I LOVE the Full body and Intense Athlete Stretch DVD. The IAS really gets deep into the hips and I always feel so wonderful when I do it.

I just got Eccentrics and I haven't done all the workouts yet, but I like them, too. There's some carry over from the TV episodes but that doesn't bother me.

The Full Body and Intense Athlete Stretch workouts contain some odd chatter about the brand of makeup Miranda wears. Some people have been turned off by this but it doesn't bother me, other than it seems odd and a little awkward.

Miranda is a little quirky but very knowledgeable and her workouts have really helped me. I swear I'm an inch taller because my posture has improved so much. I have some arthritis in my back and hips which have benefited greatly from Miranda's technique.

HTH :)

ETA there's volumes of information you can find by doing searches here and on the VF forums.
 
I agree with Michele that CS's are not really like Stretch Max - they are unique. Miranda doesn't hold the stretches for very long, apart from the last 15 mins of Intense Athlete Stretch (which is excellent for stretching the lower body), and they are combined with strengthening. They do seem to work. I find Miranda strangely addictive for some reason! I've had a shoulder impingement and so have not really been able to do weights, so I've been doing 2 of these workouts a week at least. I have to say that my hamstrings are noticably stretched - I think that's because of the IAS. I have the TV series too which is great - so many w/o's to choose from and she's very informative. You didn't mention the Express series. There are three 30 min w/o's on that and I really like it. I don't think it's available on her website any more but I've bought quite a few of her DVD's on Ebay.

If I had to choose one it'd be FB and IAS.

Emma
 
Another vote for Total Body & Athletes Instense Stretch. I have a lot of her stuff and this is the one (particularly AIS) that I reach for the most. Your hips and lower half will be super loose!;-) :7
 
I have the The Full Body and Intense Athlete Stretch workouts for a few years already. The stretches are unique and very good especially if you have body impingement problems. Basically stretches in general are not meant for relaxation per se as most people think stretches are for. For stretches to be effective, breathing technique is important too. Breathe in on the upward movement and breathe out on the downward movement.

Anyway what I wanted to add is that The Full Body and Intense Athlete stretch workout is worth to get.

Shelly
 
Are there other stretch tapes out there similar to Stretch Max? I would be interested in those.
Ellen
 
I also recommmend Full Body an Athlete's.

Vs. Stretch Max, I understand the moves Miranda is doing, and what they are working, more than I understand some moves in SM that combine stretching and bending over with an unsupported back (but SM is a workout I did not keep after one use).


>The Full Body and Intense Athlete Stretch workouts contain
>some odd chatter about the brand of makeup Miranda wears. Some
>people have been turned off by this but it doesn't bother me,
>other than it seems odd and a little awkward.

I read that in the reviews at Amazon before I bought it, and I was worried that I'd be turned off by lots of gabbing about makeup, but she pretty much just mentions her makeup artist ONCE. It's no biggy, IMO.

One thing that is annoying is that Miranda sometimes gets so caught up talking (giving info mostly) that she doesn't cue what we're doing, or when we change sides or moves, so you have to watch her (hard to do when you are in some positions).
 
>Are there other stretch tapes out there similar to Stretch
>Max? I would be interested in those.
>Ellen

It might help to know what you mean by "similar to SM": what do you like about SM in particular (and what are you looking for in a stretch workout).

For example, there's a good stretch DVD by Tamilee Webb that has standing, seated on a chair, and floor stretches. 3, 20-minute segments (I think...they have it at www.collagevideo.com , where you can see clips of it...as well as other stretch workouts).
 
I just, for the life of me, can NOT get into CS. It doesn't feel good to me at all. The only one I kind of like is Back Pain Relief. I guess I'm just a total stickler for working to the beat of the music and Miranda doesn't do that. Of course, I guess it's hard to do that when you're stretching. And like Kathryn said, she often forgets to cue because she's talking so much.

Many, many people here love CS. I know Michele and Kate really love them. It's certainly worth a shot. I'd also be glad to send you some of mine if you'd like. They're just collecting dust at my house. :(

Allison

http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
 
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